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Volunteers Taking Back Democracy |
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In This Issue ● October Frontline Update: State Legislatures ● One Month Left to Win VA ● Canvass in VA ● VA Postcards ● Training: Up Your Phone Banking Game ● Amplify This: The States Project |
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October Frontline Update |
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2024 is around the corner, and of course the national elections are important. But state legislative elections like the one happening right now in Virginia (election day Nov. 7; early voting is already underway) are perhaps even more important for the future of democracy. |
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There are more registered Democrats than Republicans in the US, yet Republicans have full control of state government in 22 states, while Democrats have control in only 17 states, with 11 states having split legislatures. |
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The asymmetry in control of state governments is no accident, and is not solely due to demographics. Republicans have been organizing for decades to gerrymander their way to power in swing states. |
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At the Frontline Update on October 22, you'll hear about Swing Blue's work with partners on the ground in Virginia, and we'll welcome featured speaker Melissa Walker of The States Project. The States Project focuses on making state legislative campaigns more effective and provides resources to candidates. Come hear Melissa explain why this state strategy is central to the fight for reproductive rights, voting rights and democracy. |
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Sun, Oct 22 @ 5 pm - 5:30 pm EDT |
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One Month Left to Win Virginia |
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Many thanks to all who donated to the Sept 26 fundraiser for eight dynamic VA candidates. These races will be close, and your donations are helping each candidate do what it takes to win. |
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Now, let's go all out in this final month for VA Senate candidate Clint Jenkins. Virginia has 40 Senate districts and 100 House of Delegates districts, so Jenkins' district (SD-17, shown in green above) overlaps with several House districts. This means that turning out voters for Jenkins also turns out voters for House candidates. |
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Our awesome phone bank organizers are taking advantage of this overlap, and making it easy for volunteers: You'll be making calls to a list of voters in a specific part of SD-17 that overlaps with just one House district. You'll get all the information you need about both Jenkins and the House candidate. |
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Mondays @ 5 pm - 7 pm EDT |
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Can't make it on Mondays? Join Indivisible Northampton's Phone Banks for a Bluer VA on Thursdays, or the volunteer recruitment phone banks with Rural GroundGame on Fridays. |
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Thursdays @ 5 pm - 7 pm EDT |
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Fridays @ 4- 6 pm EDT |
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Canvass in Virginia |
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No, that's not an early Halloween celebrant. It's the mascot of the Suffolk VA Peanut Festival, where a group of Swing Blue volunteers is registering voters right now (Sat, 10/7). |
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Swing Blue organizer Berl Hartman reports that their VA hosts are giving them the warmest of welcomes, providing housing, transportation and even food. |
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You can join the fun on the weekend before the election, Nov. 3 - 5. Too late for the peanut festival, but you'll meet VA voters in a well-organized canvass, knocking on doors in Suffolk City, in walkable territories. Bring your DC/VA area friends! Questions? Email berl.hartman@gmail.com. |
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Sun, Oct 8 - Mon Oct 9 @ 10 am - p pm Fri, Nov 3 - Sun, Nov 5 @ 10 am - 4 pm EDT |
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Virginia Postcards |
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Calling all postcard writers: Send postcards in support of Clint Jenkins in SD17, and you'll also influence voters in several close House districts that overlap with SD17. Thus, you'll have 2 or 3 times the impact with this single card. |
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Next weekend you can pick up postcard packet(s) at any of the following locations; click on the town to register and get time and place details. A packet of 25 cards costs $18.00, including cards, clear instructions, tax and postage. |
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Fri, Oct 13: Sat, Oct 14: Sun, Oct 15: |
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Boost Your Phone Banking Game |
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Are you phone-bank curious? Are you a veteran phone-banker who wants to hone your skills? Swing Blue Alliance has new tips and tricks for you, to help you get the most out of every call. |
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This session will be laser-focused on problem solving. Getting too many hangups? Can't figure out whether the voter supports your candidate? Want to practice phone banking with a cutting edge chatbot? Join our session. |
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Wed, Oct 11 @ 12 pm - 1 pm EDT |
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Amplify This: The States Project |
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The States Project, whose work will be featured in the 10/22 Frontline Update, has developed tools and resources for candidates in state legislative campaigns. Winning governing majorities in more states is crucial for furthering policy goals that improve the lives of ordinary Americans. Take a look at what the States Project is accomplishing, and read a recent New York Times article about the importance of this work. |
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Our Mission Swing Blue Alliance (formerly Swing Left Greater Boston) is the largest all-volunteer Democratic grassroots organization headquartered in Massachusetts. We use proven methods to protect our Democracy, work on competitive local and national elections, and strengthen the Democratic party at the grassroots level. |
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Your contribution will help fund the operations of this volunteer-produced newsletter, which goes out to over 15K subscribers. |
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